The ancient Pankration techniques may be thousands of years old, but they’re extremely effective even in today’s modern world. Pankration techniques encompass a wide array of kicks, take-downs, throws, and many joint locking techniques:
Video Transcription
Pankration is a Mixed Martial Art so old it can be traced back to the Olympics of Ancient Greece. Translated as “all powers,” Pankration means exactly that; anything goes. With the unique combination of kicks, take-downs, throws, and joint locks; the Pankratiast is equipped to force his opponent into submission. These techniques may be thousands of years old, but this sport is very much a part of the present.
Gastrizein – One of the most powerful moves in Pankration is the Gastrizein, a straight-line kick to the opponents midsection. Unlike most kicks which land at the side, ball, or top of the foot; the Gastrizein uses the heel to deliver the blow. This alignment of the heel and lower leg complex channels some 2 thousand pounds of force into the opponent, more than enough to break a baseball bat.
Double Leg Takedown – One of the most effective take-downs in Pankratiast arsenal is the double leg takedown. The execution requires perfect timing. Eyeing an opening in his opponents defence, the Pankratiast drops low using the power of his hips and thighs. He lifts his opponent straight into the air before body slamming him back into the ground. The higher you can lift your opponent in this move, the faster he’ll hit the ground. It’s not just your force working against him. His acceleration due to gravity can mean his head hits the ground with a 3500 pound impact. On a hard surface like concrete, this is more than enough to cause a serious brain injury.
Shoulder Throw – The shoulder throw begins in a clinch. But, instead of holding your opponent, you reach up and hook his forearm while simultaneously turning his back and pulling him forward and off-balance. Once he’s moving, you get your hips under his and roll your torso forward heaving him up and over your shoulder. First, the opponents arm works as a lever to optimize your control. Second, your own back serves as a pivot point for the throw. The strength and stability of your back allows you to throw a much heavier opponent than moves that require you to lift them.
Shoulder Lock – The shoulder lock is a lethal joint attack inspired by a Spartan disarmament technique. For this shoulder lock, you first throw your opponent onto the ground. When he’s there, squeeze his head between your thighs and twist his arm behind his back, locking the shoulder joint and leaving him at your mercy. This move uses your opponents arm as a lever working against him. The greater the torque on his shoulder, the greater the pain inflicted. Exceeding the joints normal range of motion causes more than just pain. The soft tissue, muscle, and bone can all be seriously damaged by this pressure.
Achilles Leg Lock – The ancient moves of Pankration continue to be a part of the modern MMA fighters arsenal. Moves like the Achilles leg lock which begins with your opponent on his back. After breaking his guard, you trap his ankles against your torso and lock your arms at the back of his legs right on the Achilles tendon. Then, falling backwards, you lock your own thighs against the opponents locked leg. The goal of this lock is to stress the tendons at the top of the foot to the breaking point. The strongest tendons have a tensile force threshold of just over 400 pounds. Applying any more pressure than that can tear the tendons from their base or snap them in two.
Gastrizein, Double Leg Takedown, Shoulder Throw, Shoulder Lock, and Achilles Leg Lock; with moves like these in his arsenal, a Pankratiast becomes a modern day human weapon.
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